Abstract
Cryptdins are antimicrobial peptides of the defensin family produced by mouse intestinal Paneth cells. Characterization of genomic and cDNA clones of cryptdins 1-3, 5, and 6 revealed that each of these genes has a two-exon structure. The prepro- and mature peptide coding regions are found on different exons separated by an intron of approximately 550 bp. The 5' ends of cryptdin mRNAs are distinguished by a 45-nucleotide untranslated sequence (UTS) encoded completely by the first exon. This feature contrasts with the extended 5' UTS of myeloid defensin mRNAs, which are coded by a third exon that appears to be unique to defensin genes expressed in hematopoietic cells. Sequencing of cryptdin cDNAs from both C3H/HeJ and 129/SVJ mouse small intestine demonstrated the presence of at least 16 different mRNAs, identifying cryptdins as the largest known defensin family. Amplification of these two-exon crypt defensin genes, followed by mutation-induced divergence at a limited number of positions, may have played an important role in the development of a broad-spectrum enteric defense system in the mouse.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Blood Proteins / genetics
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Codon
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DNA, Complementary / genetics
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Defensins
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Exons*
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Genes*
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
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Intestine, Small / cytology
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Intestine, Small / metabolism
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Mice / genetics*
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Mice, Inbred C3H
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Multigene Family*
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Organ Specificity
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Protein Precursors / classification
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Protein Precursors / genetics*
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Proteins / classification
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Proteins / genetics*
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Sequence Alignment
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Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
Substances
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Blood Proteins
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Codon
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DNA, Complementary
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Defensins
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Protein Precursors
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Proteins
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cryptdin
Associated data
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GENBANK/U02994
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GENBANK/U02995
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GENBANK/U02996
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GENBANK/U02997
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GENBANK/U02998
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GENBANK/U02999
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GENBANK/U03000
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GENBANK/U03001
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GENBANK/U03002
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GENBANK/U03003
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GENBANK/U03004
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GENBANK/U03005
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GENBANK/U03028
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GENBANK/U03030
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GENBANK/U03032
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GENBANK/U03033
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GENBANK/U03034
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GENBANK/U03035
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GENBANK/U03036
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GENBANK/U03037
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GENBANK/U03061
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GENBANK/U03062
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GENBANK/U03063
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GENBANK/U03064
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GENBANK/U03065
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GENBANK/U03066
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GENBANK/U12559
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GENBANK/U12560
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GENBANK/U12561
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GENBANK/U12562